"Free Ride, No Payment"

@Shavkat (140119)

Philippines

June 4, 2022 3:44am CST

You might be thinking that it is a new quote or something. That's not the case because it is a common phrase posted to every mini bus in my city Baguio for more than a month now. It was implemented before, during, and after the local election here. The phrase said, "Libreng Sakay, Bawal Magbayad or Free Ride, No Payment." The phrase speaks for its meaning. I am not that frugal but need to for having this chance. So I always wait to have free rides back and forth. Do you have free rides at your place?

11 people like this

13 responses

@DaddyEvil (137636)

• United States

4 Jun 22

You only get free rides here if you can talk a friend into taking you somewhere in their vehicle.

3 people like this

@Shavkat (140119)

• Philippines

4 Jun 22

I used to have neighbors like this. Now, I hate my new neighbors.

1 person likes this

@DaddyEvil (137636)

• United States

4 Jun 22

@Shavkat What's wrong with the new neighbors?

1 person likes this

@Shavkat (140119)

• Philippines

4 Jun 22

@DaddyEvil They are not as friendly as my old neighbors.

1 person likes this

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@rsa101 (38166)

• Philippines

4 Jun 22

I wonder who makes this scheme? Is it the government or is it a private venture there? Why are they doing that? Enjoy them while they last.

1 person likes this

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@rsa101 (38166)

• Philippines

4 Jun 22

@Shavkat ok I guess you enjoy it while it lasts. I think with the rising cost of fuel they might not be able to handle it very long.

1 person likes this

@Shavkat (140119)

• Philippines

4 Jun 22

@rsa101 I do patiently wait them when going out. I need to enjoy this free ride idea in my city. Do you have like this there?

1 person likes this

@Shavkat (140119)

• Philippines

4 Jun 22

I think the local city officials here in Baguio. It happens before the election and it seems the old higher-ups.

1 person likes this

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@LadyDuck (472097)

• Switzerland

4 Jun 22

No free rides here, 50% off for all those who are retired. In the UK retirees have free rides all the day except working hours, when the public transport is crowded by workers.

1 person likes this

@Shavkat (140119)

• Philippines

5 Jun 22

For jeepneys, we still pay regular fare. For the senior citizens, the fare has a few percent discount.

1 person likes this

@Shavkat (140119)

• Philippines

5 Jun 22

@LadyDuck I must say that senior citizens are limited here. The former President did not do his job before.

1 person likes this

@LadyDuck (472097)

• Switzerland

5 Jun 22

@Shavkat Seniors go to their town hall and get a card that allow the 50% discount on all public transport (buses, trains, boats and so on).

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@moffittjc (121695)

• Gainesville, Florida

4 Jun 22

I have free rides. I call it "borrowing my girlfriend's car!" haha I have never seen free rides offered on our public transportation system here in my city, but I wouldn't know for sure since I never use it. I just always drive me own vehicle anywhere I want to go.

1 person likes this

@Shavkat (140119)

• Philippines

4 Jun 22

In a manner of speaking, I am having a bad notion that it was a scheme to have more votes to particular city officials here.

I am sure your girlfriend does not mind at all.

1 person likes this

@Shavkat (140119)

• Philippines

5 Jun 22

@moffittjc I agree. I doubt it if the old system will be reformed. Personal agendas are always there for them to carry out especially if it is during the election period.

1 person likes this

@moffittjc (121695)

• Gainesville, Florida

4 Jun 22

@Shavkat Yes, it occurred to me that it was politically motivated as well. Political candidates will do anything to try and get votes to sway their way.

1 person likes this

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@arunima25 (87854)

• Bangalore, India

4 Jun 22

Oh! Sounds good. But is it practical in a long run? We don't get a free ride here unless you find some one to drop you where you want to go.

1 person likes this

@Shavkat (140119)

• Philippines

4 Jun 22

Indeed. Since it is for free, I need to take the chance wholeheartedly.

1 person likes this

@Shavkat (140119)

• Philippines

5 Jun 22

@arunima25 I am suspecting that they are using the local people's money from taxes payment by them.

1 person likes this

@arunima25 (87854)

• Bangalore, India

4 Jun 22

@Shavkat Yes, you should take full advantage of it. But then it might not be a practical thing to do in long run. With the fuel prices rising amidst this war, it would be economic burden on the government.

1 person likes this

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@Bubba90 (1755)

• Indonesia

4 Jun 22

No free rides at my place. But if there is I will definitely use the opportunity, if there is free why must pay

1 person likes this

@Shavkat (140119)

• Philippines

4 Jun 22

I hope that it would have there. Perhaps you can suggest to your local government there.

1 person likes this

@Shavkat (140119)

• Philippines

4 Jun 22

@Bubba90 Indeed.

1 person likes this

@Bubba90 (1755)

• Indonesia

4 Jun 22

@Shavkat yes that is a great idea.

1 person likes this

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@sulynsi (2671)

• Canada

4 Jun 22

Is this a post COVID initiative to encourage tourism? With gas prices so high, I imagine the drivers must be getting some sort of subsidy?

1 person likes this

@Shavkat (140119)

• Philippines

5 Jun 22

I think the drivers were being paid by the city officials. All I know is that they were paid based on their mileage every day.

@RebeccasFarm (90468)

• Arvada, Colorado

5 Jun 22

Not at this time we do not but they are thinking to make the buses and trains free in the future.

@marlina (154131)

• Canada

4 Jun 22

Nothing is free, someone, somewhere has to pay for this service.

1 person likes this

@Shavkat (140119)

• Philippines

5 Jun 22

I do agree with you. I assumed that the city officials are using the people's money for this idea.

@marlina (154131)

• Canada

4 Jun 22

No

1 person likes this

@Shavkat (140119)

• Philippines

5 Jun 22

Got it.

Anindita Sengupta

@aninditasen (16503)

• Raurkela, India

4 Jun 22

No, we don't have free rides in our city.

1 person likes this

@Shavkat (140119)

• Philippines

4 Jun 22

I think it is only in my city so far.

1 person likes this

Anindita Sengupta

@aninditasen (16503)

• Raurkela, India

6 Jun 22

@Shavkat Yes, that's true.

Frederick Espiritu

@simplfred (20641)

• Philippines

4 Jun 22

Yes, my friend same here in some areas of Pangasinan... Free ride for APOR...

1 person likes this

@Shavkat (140119)

• Philippines

5 Jun 22

I am glad that it is happening also there. Are you in Dagupan City?

1 person likes this

@Beestring (14693)

• Hong Kong

4 Jun 22

No free rides. In Hong Kong, those who are 60 or above only need to pay HKD2.00 (about USD0.25 cents) taking public transport.

1 person likes this

@Shavkat (140119)

• Philippines

5 Jun 22

I guess that's senior citizens' benefit.